Persistence of High Fertility in Tropical Africa: The Case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The article explores how geography, history, and society have shaped childbearing behaviors over the last half-century, and how they are now being reshaped by modernity and the exigencies of urban life, in the democratic Republic of the Congo. The decline of prolonged postpartum abstinence and involuntary childlessness initially raised fertility to high levels (6–7 children per woman). More recently, socioeconomic differentials in fertility have emerged, suggesting that the country may be entering a phase of fertility decline. A full-blown transition, however, seems still a remote prospect. Supported both by cultural traditions and by economic rationality, Congo's people remain largely convinced of the benefits of many children for their own and their kin's security. While an eventual fertility transition may be taken for granted, the article examines the many hurdles, contradictions, and tensions that will have to be overcome to achieve that outcome.

The fertility of internal migrants to Kinshasa

“…Since the 1960s, fertility has remained stubbornly high throughout the DRC, although Kinshasa is a notable exception (Romaniuk 2011), the capital has a TFR of 4.2, considerably lower than other urban (5.4) and rural (7.3) areas of the DRC (MPSMRM, MSP and ICF International 2014). The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) is extremely low throughout the DRC, at just 7.8% for the country as a whole, with condom use accounting for half of the MCPR (MPSMRM, MSP & ICF International 2014).…”

“…Some reasons for internal urban migration involve characteristics that are typically associated with lower fertility, like attending school or starting a job (Romaniuk 2011; Shapiro 1996). Other research has shown that moving to begin a marriage is common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa (Anglewicz 2012, Reniers 2003), which suggests that fertility may increase as a result of migration.…”

The New Demographic Transition: Most Gains in Life Expectancy Now Realized Late in Life

“…According to Lee and Reher (2011, p.1), “this historical process ranks as one of the most important changes affecting human society in the past half millennium.” The increase in life expectancy associated with this demographic transition has been accompanied by rising levels of per capita output, which have in turn spurred further improvements in population health through better nutrition and living standards (Fogel 1994; Barker 1990) and, especially since World War II, through advances in medical care (in this journal, Cutler, Deaton, and Lleras-Muney 2006). At the same time, increases in life expectancy have resulted in a higher proportion of each cohort living long enough to participate in the production of goods and services.…”

Islam, Polygyny and Modern Contraceptive Use in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa

“…Wives in polygynous marriages must compete for their husband's attention and resources. It is not uncommon that these marriages are rife with conflict between wives and the children of each wife, who must also compete for resources (Romaniuk 2011). Children born into polygynous marriages often live in controversy with their half brothers and sisters often defending their mother from other wives and children as well as competing for resources.…”